Drive shaft coupling

ABSTRACT

A drive shaft coupling for connecting a rotating tube cleaning shaft to a tube cleaning machine wherein high pressure fluid is pumped through the coupling, wherein the coupling is sealed to contain the high pressure fluid, and wherein a machine driven rotary flexible shaft passes through the coupling.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Divisional of, and claims benefit andpriority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/403270 filed Jan. 11, 2017 and titled “DRIVE SHAFT COUPLING”, whichissued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,951,821 on Apr. 24, 2018, the entirety ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Air conditioning and industrial chilling systems are typicallyconfigured with arrays of chiller tubes. Boilers and other commercial orindustrial equipment may also include fluid tubes to provide variousheat exchange functionality. Such tubes must be serviced to prevent orreduce fouling and corrosion and such servicing typically involvesutilization of both mechanical and fluid treatment on the interiorsurfaces of the tubes. The fluid treatment itself often includesapplication of chemical cleaners or inhibitors. In some cases, differenttools may be utilized for each of the mechanical agitation, chemicalapplication, and powered fluid cleaning or washing. While some toolsavailable in the industry provided combined solutions that integratemechanical agitation and powered fluid washing, such tools may sufferfrom various deficiencies. Some of these deficiencies relate to thecoupling of a rotary tube cleaning drive shaft and tube cleaning fluidconduit to a tube cleaning machine. Several previous attempts ataddressing coupling deficiencies are described below.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,940 (hereinafter “DeMoss”) discloses a “pipecoupling [that] includes a pair of hub members and a pair of couplingmembers surrounding the hub members”, as well as a “plurality ofprojections [that] extend outwardly from [one] coupling member and arereceived in receiving recesses in the other coupling member.” DeMoss,Abstract. DeMoss also describes that “[r]elative rotation of thecoupling members moves the projections behind locking flanges into alocking position [and a] pivotally mounted lever on each connectingmember is received by a locking recess on the other connecting memberwhen in the locking position.” Id.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,821,048 (hereinafter “Talesky”) discloses “[a] ferrulefor coupling an attachment to a rotary hand tool unit of the type thathas a housing with a nose portion through which a rotary output shaftextends.” Talesky, Abstract. Talesky further describes that “[t]he noseportion has at least one groove extending generally circumferentiallyaround at least a part of the nose portion, so that a groove portion islocated on opposite sides of the nose portion [and that] [t]he ferruleincludes a generally how cylindrical body with interior and exteriorsurfaces with an open mounting end portion and a smaller opposite endportion to which the attachment is mounted.” Id. Talesky furtherdescribes that “[t]he open mounting end portion fits on a nose portionof the housing when the ferrule is coupled to the rotary hand tool” andthat “[t]he ferrule further includes at least one internally protrudingrib on the interior surface for aligning the ferrule in a least onepredetermined angular position, and at least two latches mounted on theferrule,” and where “each latch having an open and a closed positionwherein the ferrule is locked into the nose portion when the latch is inthe closed position.” Id.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,746,532 (hereinafter “Nalagatla”) discloses “[a]stapling reload assembly for a circular stapling instrument [that]includes a casing, a staple holder, a staple driver, and an anvilassembly.” Nalagatla, Abstract. Nalagatla further describes that “[t]hestaple holder is attached to the casing[,] and [t]he staple driverincludes a driver alignment surface[,] [t]he staple driver is receivablewithin the casing and is configured to move within the casing from apre-fired position to a fired position.” Id. Nalagatla further describesthat “[t]he anvil assembly includes an anvil base surface, an anvilalignment surface, and a staple forming surface[,] [and] [t]he anvilbase surface is configured to move from an open position away from thecasing to a closed position adjacent the casing.” Id. Nalagatla furtherdescribes that “[t]he anvil alignment surface is configured to mate withthe driver alignment surface, to rotationally align the staple formingsurface with the staple holder, when the anvil base surface is in theclosed position.” Id.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,383,047 (hereinafter “Alexander”) discloses “[a] lockingdevice [with] a threaded pressure fitting having clamp members, [where]a clamping load is applied to the clamp members to clamp the clampmembers to one another.” Alexander, Abstract. Alexander furtherdescribes that “[e]ach clamp member has a first insert and a secondinsert held captive thereto, and each insert has a bearing face adaptedto cooperate with and bear against part of the pressure fitting,” where“at least the first insert associated with each of the clamp members isangularly moveable relative thereto to permit the bearing face of eachfirst insert to be orientated differently to the bearing face of theassociated second insert.” Id.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome some of the deficiencies of the prior art, what is needed isa quick connect coupling on a tube cleaning machine for directing arotary tube cleaning drive shaft and tube cleaning fluid to a tubecleaning site, wherein the quick connect coupling includes a drivemanifold assembly mounted on the tube cleaning machine having a firstlatch means mounted on the drive manifold assembly and second latchmeans cooperative with the first latch means to removably secure adriven shaft assembly to the drive manifold assembly. The driven shaftassembly and the drive manifold assembly have cooperating sealing meansfor confining the tube cleaning fluid to a flow path from the tubecleaning machine through the coupling.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a quick connectcoupling on a tube cleaning machine for directing a rotary tube cleaningdrive shaft and tube cleaning fluid to a tube cleaning site.

A drive manifold assembly mounted on the tube cleaning machine may havea first interior passage for flow of the tube cleaning fluid and forextension of a rotary drive shaft into the coupling. A first latch meansmay be mounted on the drive manifold assembly.

A driven shaft assembly removably connectable to the drive manifoldassembly may have a second interior passage in communication with thefirst interior passage. A second latch means may cooperate with thefirst latch means to removably secure the driven shaft assembly to thedrive manifold assembly. The driven shaft assembly and the drivemanifold assembly may have cooperating sealing means for confining thetube cleaning fluid to a flow path from the tube cleaning machinethrough the coupling.

A drive shaft yoke assembly having a tubular body with a third interiorpassage may be coupled to and extend from the driven shaft assembly. Asheath may be secured to the inner surface of the yoke for encasing therotary drive shaft and defining an interior channel for flow of tubecleaning fluid from the tube cleaning machine. The rotary drive shaftmay extend from a proximal end at the interior of the tube cleaningmachine through the first, second, and third interior passages of thedrive manifold assembly, the driven shaft assembly, and the yoke andsheath, for rotating a tube cleaning brush positioned at the distal endof the shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An understanding of embodiments described herein and many of theattendant advantages thereof may be readily obtained by reference to thefollowing detailed description when considered with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of drive shaftcoupling illustrating uncoupled drive manifold assembly and driven shaftassembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drive manifold assembly of FIG. 1showing position of latch arm and latch bar;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view in section of uncoupled drive manifoldassembly and driven shaft assembly of the coupling of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view in section of uncoupled drivemanifold assembly and driven shaft assembly of the coupling of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of uncoupled drive manifold assembly insection along with driven shaft assembly of the coupling of FIG. 1showing latch arm position opposite to that of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of uncoupled drive manifold assembly anddriven shaft assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of inner components of drive manifoldassembly coupled with driven shaft assembly of the coupling of FIG. 1showing relative positions of latch bars and their cooperating grooves;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view in section of drive shaft coupling ofFIG. 1 illustrating interior layout of coupled drive manifold assemblyand driven shaft assembly, together with tube cleaning subassembly offlexible drive shaft, yoke, and sheath in place;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of driveshaft coupling illustrating coupled drive manifold assembly and drivenshaft assembly;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation of latch arm subassembly of anotherpreferred embodiment for driver manifold assembly;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view in section of drive shaft coupling ofanother preferred embodiment illustrating interior layout of coupleddrive manifold assembly and driven shaft assembly, together with tubecleaning subassembly of flexible drive shaft, yoke, sheath in place andfluid tight sealing arrangement;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of drive shaft coupling of anotherpreferred embodiment illustrating exterior layout of coupled drivemanifold assembly and driven shaft assembly;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of drive shaft coupling of FIG. 12illustrating component action when drive manifold assembly and drivenshaft assembly are coupled;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of front face of driven shaft assembly ofthe coupling of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the coupling of FIG. 12 illustratingdrive manifold interior that receives and seals driven shaft assembly;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of internal passage of drive shaft couplingof FIG. 12 showing position of flexible drive shaft and fluid flow;

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of drive shaft coupling of anotherpreferred embodiment illustrating exterior layout of coupled drivemanifold assembly and driven shaft assembly;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of drive shaft coupling of FIG. 17illustrating component action when drive manifold assembly and drivenshaft assembly are uncoupled;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of front face of drive manifold assemblyof the coupling of FIG. 17 illustrating its receptacle cavity forreceiving and sealing driven shaft assembly;

FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the coupling of FIG. 17 illustratingdriven shaft body surface that couples with receptacle of FIG. 19 andmounts driven shaft assembly sheath;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of front face of driven shaft assembly ofthe coupling of FIG. 21;

FIG. 22 is a schematic view of internal passage of drive shaft couplingof FIG. 17 showing position of flexible drive shaft and fluid flow;

FIG. 23 is a side elevation view of drive shaft coupling of anotherpreferred embodiment of the invention illustrating exterior layout ofcoupled drive manifold assembly and driven shaft assembly;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of driven shaft assembly of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the manner of assembling the couplingof FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is a side elevation view of drive shaft coupling of anotherpreferred embodiment of the invention illustrating exterior layout forcoupling drive manifold assembly and driven shaft assembly;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a drive shaftcoupling;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a drive shaftcoupling;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a flexible drive shaft adaptoraccording to some embodiments;

FIG. 30 is a side elevation view in section of a drive shaft couplingaccording to some embodiments, illustrating interior layout of a coupleddrive manifold assembly and flexible drive shaft adaptor;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a drive shaft coupling according tosome embodiments, illustrating coupling of a drive manifold assembly andflexible drive shaft adaptor; and

FIG. 32 is an axial view in section of a drive shaft coupling accordingto some embodiments, illustrating a coupling of a drive manifoldassembly and flexible drive shaft adaptor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION I. Introduction

Embodiments described herein generally relate to a coupling forconnecting a rotating tube cleaning shaft to a tube cleaning machinewhere high pressure fluid is pumped through the coupling, where thecoupling is sealed to contain the high pressure fluid, and where amachine driven rotary flexible shaft passes through the coupling.

Some described embodiments have particular application with machines forcleaning the interior of heat exchanger tubes to maintain operationalefficiency. Rotating brushes or other tools and flushing water are usedfor this kind of tube cleaning. A common type of heat exchanger has abundle of tubes fixed at opposite ends in headers. Typically, untreatedcooling water flows through the interior of the tubes and exchanges heatwith water or some other fluid on the outside of the tubes which is at adifferent temperature than the water flowing on the inside of the tubes.As is well known, if the water flowing through the tubes is dirty oruntreated or inadequately treated for minimizing precipitation ofminerals, a mineral deposit and dirt will gradually accumulate on theinside of the tubes. Accumulated mineral and dirt in the tubes isremoved by means of a tube cleaning machine propelling a rotating brushor other cleaning tool through each tube to dislodge mineral and dirt,and carrying dislodged material away in a flow of pressurized cleaningwater.

In a tube cleaning machine of this kind, a cleaning tool such as a brushis mounted at an end of a rotatable shaft encased within a sheath, andcleaning fluid typically pressurized water passes through a sheathinterior passage into the heat exchanger tube. Combined action ofrotating tool and pressurized water accomplishes the desired tubecleaning in removing mineral deposits and dirt.

In this operational setting, there is need for a fluid tight drive shaftcoupling for quickly and easily connecting the rotary shaft to the tubecleaning machine that provides rotary drive and pressurized water.

Embodiments described herein provide a tube cleaning machine housingmounting a drive motor for rotating a flexible tube cleaning shaftthrough a drive shaft coupling. The rotating tube cleaning shaft ismanually connected to and driven through a coupling that passes througha machine housing side wall.

The coupling in accordance with some embodiments comprises a drivermanifold assembly forming part of the machine housing, and a drivenshaft assembly forming part of the rotary cleaning shaft. The couplingprovides for quick attachment and release of its component assemblies.The coupling is sealed to withstand high pressure fluid pumped throughthe coupling during a tube cleaning operation from the driver manifoldassembly into the driven shaft assembly.

The driver manifold assembly is affixed at an opening through the outercasing of the tube cleaning machine and comprises an inner duct defininga fluid passage that extends through the casing opening, and cooperateswith a concentric, outer latching collar. The latching collar and aretainer ring positioned on opposite sides of the casing openingcooperate in securing the inner duct in fixed position in the casingopening. The latching collar, in turn, receives, retains and seals adriven shaft assembly in pressurized water tight assembly.

The driven shaft assembly comprises a connecting collar secured to thenear end of elongate rotary shaft assembly of yoke, sheath, flexibledrive shaft, and cleaning tool. The sheath defines an interior passagefor both the flexible drive shaft and pressurized water. The drivenshaft assembly together with the rotary shaft assembly connects to thedriver manifold assembly and is retained there by latching collar, formsa water tight seal with the inner duct, and positions a rotary driveshaft clutch at the near end of the flexible shaft for engagement withrotary drive head within the tube cleaning machine housing.

In use, when coupling of driver manifold assembly and driven shaftassembly is made, rotary motion is received by the flexible drive shaft,pressurized water flows through the coupling into the interior of thedrive shaft sheath, and a tube cleaning tool such as a spiral woundbrush attached to the far end of the drive shaft is ready for tubecleaning. An operator places the tool at a tube entrance and begins tubecleaning.

Specific examples are included in the following description for purposesof clarity, but various details can be changed within the scope of theembodiments described herein.

II. Drive Shaft Coupling

The drive shaft coupling in accordance with some embodiments is for usein tube cleaning machines made and sold by the Applicant, particularly,RAM™ tube cleaners having a power console or housing mounted on a handtruck. The console connects to the near end of an elongate flexibledrive shaft for rotating a tube cleaning brush or tool mounted at thefar end of the flexible shaft. A sheath encasing the drive shaft definesan interior channel for passage of cleaning fluid from the power consoleto the brush end of the sheath. In a tube cleaning pass, the rotatingtool and cleaning fluid advance through a tube interior to remove andflush away dirt and encrusted mineral.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a shaft quick connect coupling 10in accordance with some embodiments is mounted on a tube cleaningmachine housing 12 having a drive motor with drive clutch (not shown)for rotating a tube cleaning shaft 14 by shaft drive bar 14 b (shown inFIG. 8 and FIG. 11). The tube cleaning shaft 14 is part of a drive shaftassembly (not shown in FIG. 1) and is driven through the shaft quickconnect coupling 10 that passes through a tube cleaning machine housingside wall 12 a.

The shaft quick connect coupling 10 in accordance with some embodimentscomprises a driver manifold assembly 16 attached to the tube cleaningmachine housing 12, and a driven shaft assembly 18 attached to the tubecleaning shaft assembly 17 (FIG. 8) comprising yoke 46, sheath 50, tubecleaning shaft 14 (e.g., a flexible drive shaft), and a cleaning tool(not shown). The shaft quick connect coupling 10 provides for quickattachment and release of its component assemblies 16, 17, 18. The shaftquick connect coupling 10 is sealed to withstand high pressure fluidpumped from the tube cleaning machine (not shown, except for the tubecleaning machine housing 12 and the tube cleaning machine housing sidewall 12 a thereof) through the driver manifold assembly 16 into thedriven shaft assembly 18 during a tube cleaning operation.

The driver manifold assembly 16 is affixed at a housing opening 12 bthrough the tube cleaning machine housing 12 and comprises an inner duct20 (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) defining a common passage 20 a through thehousing opening 12 b for pressurized tube cleaning fluid (not explicitlyshown), and for passage of tube cleaning shaft 14 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 8)for connection to a console drive motor (not shown). The inner duct 20is centered and secured in the casing opening 12 b by the action ofconcentric outer latching collar 22 and retaining ring 24. The innerduct 20 is threaded (i.e., comprises threads 20 b) along its outersurface for positioning retaining ring 24 against tube cleaning machinehousing side wall 12 a around housing opening 12 b. The inner duct 20near its open end 20 c is provided with an annular groove 20 d forpositioning a seal 20 e such as an O-ring or U-cup. The seal 20 eengages a sealing surface 42 (FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 8) of the drivenshaft assembly 18 as described below. The concentric outer latchingcollar 22 is provided with inwardly directed flange 22 a threaded ontoinner duct 20 for tightening the driver manifold assembly 16 to thehousing wall 12 a.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 7,latching concentric outer latching collar 22 comprises a cylindricalbody with inwardly directed flange 22 a and with wall openings 22 baccommodating arcuate latch arms 22 c. Arcuate latch arms 22 c are setinto the wall openings 22 b and held there by pivot pins 22 d andcontrolled by torsion springs 22 e located in latch arm recesses 22 f.The inner surface of each arcuate latch arm 22 c has an inwardlydirected latch bar 22 g for holding driver manifold assembly 16 anddriven shaft assembly 18 together as described in detail below. As seenin FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, inwardly directed latchbar 22 g is offset to lie along a side edge 22 h of its arcuate latcharm 22 c. Arcuate latch arms 22 c have normal position as shown in FIG.2 wherein torsion springs 22 e urge the arcuate latch arms 22 c withinwardly directed latch bar 22 g into closed position. Arcuate latcharms 22 c are moved to open position for release of driven shaftassembly 18 by manually pushing the inner ends 22 k of the arcuate latcharms 22 c to pivot on the pivot pins 22 d against a spring force (e.g.,from the torsion springs 22 e) so as to pivot the inwardly directedlatch bars 22 g outwardly for disengagement with driven shaft assembly18 (FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6 each arcuate latch arm 22 cis mounted for pivoting movement on one of the pivot pins 22 d passingthrough a wall of the concentric outer latching collar 22 and arcuatelatching arms 22 c are situated in the wall openings 22 b. The locationof the pivot pins 22 d is offset to provide a fulcrum near the innerends 22 k of the arcuate latch arms 22 c so that the other ends 22 n ofthe arcuate latch arms 22 c have a greater range of movement about thepivot pins 22 d for pivoting inwardly directed latch bars 22 g outwardto disengage from the driven shaft assembly 18. Accordingly, theinwardly directed latch bars 22 g (FIG. 2) are at the other ends 22 n oftheir respective arcuate latch arms 22 c. The torsion springs 22 eencircling the pivot pins 22 d in latch arm recess 22 f urge theirrespective arcuate latch arms 22 c into the closed position of FIG. 1and FIG. 2.

Another preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 where commonreference numerals indicate the same components as described withrespect to the embodiments of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5,FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8. This embodiment comprises a latch armassembly 30 with a movement similar to that of ice tongs (not shown).Each latch arm 30 a is arcuate with a latch bar 30 b formed on its innersurface for engaging the driven shaft assembly 18 described below. Eacharm 30 a has an integral actuating tab 30 c with tabs acting together inmoving the latch arms 30 a. Each arm 30 a has an integral eyelet 30 dsuch that aligned eyelets 30 d receive an assembly sleeve 30 e and pivotpin 30 f. A torsion spring 30 g is centered on the pivot pin 30 f andhas biasing fingers 30 h bearing on inner actuating tab surfaces 30 i ofthe integral actuating tabs 30 c urging the latch arms 30 a in thedirection of arrows “A” (FIG. 10) to normal position for securing drivermanifold assembly 16 to driven shaft assembly 18.

The driver manifold assembly 16 receives, retains and seals the drivenshaft assembly 18 with attached drive shaft assembly (not shown) inpressurized water tight operation.

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 the driven shaft assembly 18comprises a driven shaft collar 40 defined by generally cylindrical body40 a with interior passage 40 b. The driven shaft collar 40 has angledfront surface 40 c and an adjacent annular groove 40 d. As the drivenshaft collar 40 is inserted into the concentric outer latching collar22, the angled front surface 40 c lifts and guides the inwardly directedlatch bars 22 g into locked operating position in annular groove 40 dwhere they are held in place by torsion springs 22 e. The cylindricalbody 40 a includes a set of finger-shaped recesses 40 e to aid grippingthe driven shaft collar 40 for insertion into the concentric outerlatching collar 22.

The drive collar interior passage 40 b (FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 8)includes the smooth annular sealing surface 42 for forming a water tightseal against an inner duct sealing element (e.g., seal 20 e) when drivenshaft collar 40 and concentric outer latching collar 22 are locked inoperating position. If desired, a section of interior surface adjacentthe sealing surface 42 may be threaded (e.g., with threads 42 a) toaccommodate use of the driven shaft collar 40 with legacy tube cleaningmachines already in commercial use.

An interior annular rib 43 normal to the axis of the driven shaft collar40 extends radially inward from the interior surface and presents arearward facing annular channel 43 a that receives and holds yoke 46depicted in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. A tubular bushing 48 with threaded flange48 a fits into the back end of the driven shaft collar 40 for engagingan outer flange 46 a of the yoke 46 and securing it by a rib 46 b inposition in the rearward facing annular channel 43 a. A front face 43 bof the interior annular rib 43 is a sealing surface for pressurizedwater when used with a machine already in commerce.

Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, yoke 46 comprises an elongate tubularbody of integral cylindrical 46 d and conical section 46 e and aninterior passage 46 f for tube cleaning shaft 14 and its sheath 50. Theouter flange 46 a at a front end of the yoke 46 includes the rib 46 bthat fits into the rearward facing annular channel 43 a. A water tightseal is established between the rib 46 b and the rearward facing annularchannel 43 a by advancing threaded flange 48 a into wrench tightengagement with the outer flange 46 a of the yoke 46.

The tube cleaning drive shaft assembly 17 shown in FIG. 8 includes theyoke 46 sealed at an inner surface to the sheath 50 together with awound steel flexible tube cleaning shaft 14 with a drive clutch (e.g.,the shaft drive bar 14 b) passing through the yoke 46 and the sheath 50for receiving rotation from a tube cleaning machine drive motor (notshown).

The inner duct 20 and the sheath 50 define an interior enclosed channel52 for flow of pressurized cleaning fluid (arrow “B”) typically waterfrom a tube cleaning machine through the sheath 50 exiting its far endat cleaning tool connection (not shown). The common passage 20 a and thedriven shaft collar 40 have a watertight seal formed by engagement ofthe seal 20 e (such as an O-ring) and the sealing surface 42. Thecombination of pressurized fluid and rotating cleaning elementaccomplishes tube cleaning. The cleaning fluid may be pressurized bypump (not shown) within the tube cleaning machine.

FIG. 11 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the invention havingcomponents in common with the embodiments of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3,FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10 that areidentified by common reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 11, the driven shaft assembly 60 comprises a drivenshaft collar 62 defined by generally cylindrical body 62 a with threadedinterior passage 62 b, and inwardly directed end flange 62 c. The drivenshaft collar 62 has angled front surface 62 d and an adjacent annulargroove 62 e. As the driven shaft collar 62 is inserted into the latcharm assembly 30, the angled front surface 62 d lifts and guides thelatch bars 30 b into locked operating position in the annular groove 62e where they are held in place by latch arm springs (not shown). Theouter surface of the driven shaft collar 62 may include a set offinger-shaped recesses (not seen in FIG. 11) but similar to those ofFIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and/or FIG. 7, at 40 e,to aid gripping the driven shaft collar 62 for insertion into theconcentric outer latching collar 22.

If desired, a section of interior surface adjacent the sealing surfacemay be threaded (e.g., with threads 62 b) to accommodate use of thedriven shaft collar 62 with legacy tube cleaning machines (not shown)already in commercial use.

The driven shaft assembly 60 also comprises a barbed insert 64 having acentral tubular section 64 a with barbed outer surface 64 b for mountingand securing a sheath 66 with interior channel 66 a through whichflexible tube cleaning shaft 14 and pressurized fluid pass in a tubecleaning operation. The barbed insert 64 further has a radial flange 64c for nesting relation with the driven shaft collar 62 in such a manneras to secure the yoke 46 by upturned outer flange 46 a within the drivenshaft collar 62.

The barbed insert 64 further includes a cylindrical sealing embossment64 d with O-ring groove 64 e extending axially from the radial flange 64c. An O-ring 64 f forms a fluid pressure tight joint between the drivenshaft assembly 60 and the common passage 20 a of the inner duct 20.

The inner duct 20 and the sheath 66 define an interior enclosed channelfor flow of pressurized cleaning fluid typically water from the tubecleaning machine through the sheath 66 exiting its far end at a cleaningtool connection (not shown). The inner duct 20 and the driven shaftcollar 62 have a watertight seal formed by engagement of the O-ring 64 fand the sealing surface 42. The combination of pressurized fluid androtating cleaning element accomplishes tube cleaning.

In assembling the driver manifold assembly 16 and the driven shaftassembly 60 of FIG. 11, the driven shaft collar 62 together with theyoke 46, the sheath 66, and the rotary tube cleaning shaft 14 areinserted into the latch arm assembly 30. The angled front surface 62 dof the driven shaft collar 62 engages the latch bars 30 b and lifts thelatch arms 30 a about their pivot point (e.g., at pivot pins 22 d) forregistering the latch bars 30 b in the annular groove 62 e for securingthe coupling.

As shown in FIG. 11, the flexible tube cleaning shaft 14 with the shaftdrive bar 14 b engages drive head “H” rotated by the machine drive motor(not shown).

FIG. 12-16 show another preferred embodiment of the invention thatcomprises drive shaft coupling 80 including drive manifold assembly 82and driven shaft assembly 84.

The drive manifold assembly 82 comprises generally cylindrical housing82 a with circumferential flange 82 b for securing coupling to tubecleaning machine housing side wall 12 a, and exterior embossments 82 dwith spaced radial flanges 82 e for mounting and/or guiding cooperatinglatches 82 f that hold driven shaft assembly 84 in place in connectedcoupling. The exterior embossments 82 d have ends turned radiallydefining the radial spaced flanges 82 e that guide and/or confine thecooperating latches 82 f as they rotate on pivot pins 82 g. Pivot pins82 g pass through embossments 82 d and housing body wall and throughlatch posts 82 t (FIG. 12) extending into housing recess 82 u thatprovides a pivot connection for its respective cooperating latch 82 f.Each cooperating latch 82 f comprises a main body portion 82 h withlatch hook 82 i at one end, and finger plate 82 j at other end forpivoting the cooperating latches 82 f on the pivot pins 82 g against acompression spring 82 k. The compression spring 82 k urges thecooperating latches 82 f to closed position seen in FIG. 12. Each latchhook 82 i has a curved head 82 m by which the cooperating latches 82 fare cammed out of the way (FIG. 13) as the driven shaft assembly 84 iscoupled to the drive manifold assembly 82. For disassembling thecoupling the operator squeezes finger plates 82 j together releasing thecooperating latches 82 f so that driven shaft assembly 84 can be pulledout of the manifold assembly 82.

The embodiments of coupling disclosed herein may be regarded as sprunglatch couplings in view of the cooperating latches 82 f themselves beingmoved or sprung out of the way by the driven shaft assembly 84 as thecoupling is being connected and then returning to operative latchingposition when the coupling is completed. In some embodiments, the pivotpins 82 g are situated at an offset from the axis of the manifoldassembly 82 that is equivalent to (or at least less than) an offset ofthe latching location of the latch hooks 82 i with the driven shaftassembly 84. This may provide, for example, a more secure connectionand/or coupling than if the pivot pins 82 g were disposed, for example,in or on the radial flanges 82 e.

Cylindrical housing 82 a has an internal bore 82 p (FIG. 12 and FIG. 16)for passage of tube cleaning machine tube cleaning fluid (not explicitlyshown) and rotating flexible tube cleaning shaft 14, with sealing wall82 r and driven assembly fluid seal 82 s within driven shaft receptacle82 v (FIG. 15).

The driven shaft assembly 84 (FIG. 14 and FIG. 16) comprises a drivenshaft collar 84 a defined by generally cylindrical first body 84 b ofouter diameter matching inner diameter of the driven shaft receptacle 82v and a second body 84 c of lesser diameter. A sealing surface 84 d ofthe first body 84 b forms a seal against driven assembly fluid seal 82 sin the assembled coupling. A threaded section 84 e receives a retainingcap 84 f for holding sheath 84 g to the driven shaft assembly 84.

As shown in FIG. 16, an interior passage 80 a passes entirely throughthe drive manifold assembly 82 and driven shaft assembly 84 (bore 84 h)entering an internal passage 84 i of the sheath. Tube cleaning fluid(arrow “B”) and the rotating flexible tube cleaning shaft 14 pass fromthe tube cleaning machine (not shown) through the drive manifoldassembly 82 and the driven shaft assembly 84 for tube cleaningoperations.

FIG. 17, FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20, FIG. 21, and FIG. 22 show anotherpreferred embodiment of the invention comprises drive shaft coupling 90including drive manifold assembly 92 and driven shaft assembly 94.

The drive manifold assembly 92 comprises generally cylindrical housing92 a with circumferential flange 92 b for securing coupling to tubecleaning machine housing side wall 12 a. Housing section 92 c to theright of the circumferential flange 92 b as seen in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18mounts a spring biased, sliding latch 92 d of knurled cylindertelescoped over housing section 92 c. As seen in FIG. 19, section wall92 e has radial bores 92 f accommodating a set captive balls 92 g thatproject into section socket 92 h when sliding latch 92 d is in theposition of FIG. 17 for holding driven shaft assembly 94 in place in theconnected coupling. By moving sliding latch 92 d in the direction ofarrow “D” in FIG. 18, captive balls 92 g are freed to move radially inradial bores 92 f and the driven shaft assembly 94 can be inserted intoor pulled out of section socket 92 h to connect or disconnect thecoupling.

For its part, driven shaft assembly 94 (FIG. 20 and FIG. 21) comprisesan integral cylinder 94 a having a greater diameter section 94 b and alesser diameter section 94 c. A sheath 96 (FIG. 17 and FIG. 22) withinterior passage 96 a for tube cleaning fluid (arrow “B”) and rotary,flexible tube cleaning shaft 14 is connected by retaining cap 96 b tothe lesser diameter section 94 c. The outer surface 94 d of the greaterdiameter section 94 b has a circumferential groove 94 e that cooperateswith captive balls 92 g for latching and unlatching drive manifoldassembly 92 and driven shaft assembly 94. As shown in FIG. 21, integralcylinder 94 a includes plenum 94 p for receiving tube cleaning fluidthrough the coupling and directing it through bore 94 r into the sheath96.

Section socket 92 h (FIG. 19) is provided with a sealing ring 92 i thatforms a seal against the adjacent end 94 k (FIG. 20 and FIG. 22) ofintegral cylinder 94 a to confine tube cleaning fluid within theconnected coupling.

As shown in FIG. 22, an interior passage 98 passes entirely through thedrive manifold assembly 92 and the driven shaft assembly 94 enteringinternal passage 96 a in sheath 96. Tube cleaning fluid (arrow “B”) andthe rotating flexible tube cleaning shaft 14 pass from the tube cleaningmachine (not shown) through drive the manifold assembly 92 and drivenshaft assembly 94 and through the sheath 96 for tube cleaningoperations.

FIG. 23, FIG. 24, and FIG. 25 show another preferred embodiment of theinvention comprises drive shaft coupling 110 including drive manifoldassembly 112 and driven shaft assembly 114.

The drive manifold assembly 112 comprises generally cylindrical housing112 a (e.g., secured to tube cleaning machine housing side wall 12 a;not shown in FIG. 23), and having a socket 112 b for receiving drivenshaft assembly 114. The cylindrical housing 112 a as seen in FIG. 23 andFIG. 25 mounts a retaining latch 112 c that projects retaining pin 112 dinto the socket 112 b for registry with and retention of the drivenshaft assembly 114 in connected coupling. For its part, driven shaftassembly 114 comprises a cylinder 114 a and sheath 116 (FIG. 25) withinterior passage 116 a for tube cleaning fluid (not explicitly shown)and a rotary, flexible drive shaft (not shown in FIG. 25; such as thetube cleaning shaft 14). The outer surface 114 b of the cylinder 114 hasa plurality of receptor sockets 114 c for receiving retaining pin 112 dso as to hold coupling components together. The retaining pin 112 dengages one of the receptor sockets 114 c such that a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced receptor sockets 114 c facilitates quicklyaligning and connecting the components.

The cylinder 114 has a necked down sealing section 114 e with sealingring 114 f to provide fluid tight seal for the assembled coupling.

In a manner similar to that of FIG. 16 and FIG. 22, the interior passage(not explicitly shown) extends entirely through the drive manifoldassembly 112 and the driven shaft assembly 114 entering the internalpassage 116 a in the sheath 116. Tube cleaning fluid and the rotatingflexible drive shaft (not shown; e.g., the tube cleaning shaft 14) passfrom the tube cleaning machine (also not shown) through the drivemanifold assembly 112 and the driven shaft assembly 114 and through thesheath 116 for tube cleaning operations.

FIG. 26 shows another preferred embodiment which comprises drive shaftcoupling 120 including drive manifold assembly 122 and driven shaftassembly 124.

The drive manifold assembly 122 comprises generally cylindrical housing122 a with circumferential flange 122 b for securing coupling to tubecleaning machine housing side wall 12 a. A housing section 122 c to theright of the circumferential flange 122 b as seen in FIG. 26 is fittedwith a bayonet connection 122 d for receiving the driven shaft assembly124.

The driven shaft assembly 124 comprises cylinder 124 a with interiorpassage 126 a for tube cleaning fluid and a rotary, flexible drive shaft(not shown; such as the tube cleaning shaft 14). An inner surface 124 bof the cylinder 124 a has a plurality of bayonet sockets 124 c to holdcoupling components together and which facilitates quickly connectingthe components.

The interior passage 126 a of the drive shaft coupling 120 for tubecleaning fluid, rotary, flexible tube cleaning shaft and coupling fluidseal may be arranged as for embodiments of the invention describedabove.

In use, when the coupling is made, rotary motion is received by therotary drive shaft, pressurized water flows through the coupling intothe interior of the drive shaft sheath (not shown in FIG. 26), and atube cleaning tool such as a spiral wound brush (not shown) is attachedto the far end of the drive shaft. An operator places the tool at a tubeentrance and begins tube cleaning.

Referring now to FIG. 27 and FIG. 28, a perspective view of anotherpreferred embodiment of a drive shaft coupling 10 is shown. The driveshaft coupling 10 may, for example, comprise a latch arm assembly 30coupled to a tube cleaning machine housing 12. In some embodiments, thelatch arm assembly 30 may be similar to the latch arm assembly 30 ofFIG. 9. The latch arm assembly 30 may comprise, for example, twoopposing and cooperating latch arms 30 a coupled via an assembly sleeve30 e which functions as a pivot point. Each latch arm 30 a may comprise,in some embodiments, an integral latch bar 30 b and/or an integralactuating tab 30 c.

According to some embodiments, a yoke 46 may be inserted onto a barbedinsert 64 that is coupled to the tube cleaning machine housing 12. Thebarbed insert 64 may provide pressurized fluid and/or a driven shaft(neither of which are shown in FIG. 27 or FIG. 28) to the yoke 46, forexample. In some embodiments, the integral latch bars 30 b may engage anouter flange 46 a of the yoke 46, thereby retaining the yoke 46 on thebarbed insert 64, e.g., during pressurized cleaning operations. In someembodiments, actuation of the integral actuating tabs 30 c, such as viaan application of pressure (e.g., via a finger and thumb of an operator;not shown) that coerces the integral actuating tabs 30 c toward eachother, may operate to pivot the integral latch bars 30 b away from eachother, thereby releasing or uncoupling the yoke 46.

In some embodiments, such as due to pressurized forces within thecoupling 10, a locking mechanism 30 j may be provided. The lockingmechanism 30 j may, for example, be coupled to the tube cleaning machinehousing 12 and generally disposed between the integral actuating tabs 30c. The locking mechanism 30 j may comprise, in some embodiments, acylindrical body portion 30 k, one or more radial protrusions 301,and/or an engaging tab 30 m. According to some embodiments, the cloakingmechanism 30 l may be selectively rotated to two different positions:(i) a first or engaged position as shown in FIG. 27, where the radialprotrusion(s) 301 are aligned to extend between the integral actuatingtabs 30 c, and (ii) a second or disengaged position as shown in FIG. 28,where the radial protrusion(s) 301 are aligned away from the integralactuating tabs 30 c.

As depicted in FIG. 27 and FIG. 28, the engaging tab 30 m may bedisposed in an actuating slot 12 c of the tube cleaning machine housing12 such that when selectively engaged in a first position as depicted inFIG. 27, the radial protrusion(s) 301 are aligned to the first orengaged position and accordingly prevent the integral actuating tabs 30c from being moved toward each other, and accordingly prevent theintegral latch bars 30 b from disengaging with the yoke 46. In such amanner, for example, the yoke 46 may be more securely secured to thebarbed insert 64, such as be preventing pressure within the coupling 10from accidentally or undesirably disengaging the latch arms 30 a.

According to some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 28, the engaging tab30 m may be selectively engaged in a second position such that theradial protrusion(s) 30 l are aligned to the second or disengagedposition and accordingly allow the integral actuating tabs 30 c to bemoved toward each other, thereby freeing the yoke 46 from the integrallatch bars 30 b.

In some embodiments, although not explicitly shown in FIG. 27 or FIG.28, the integral latch bars 30 b and/or the outer flange 46 a of theyoke 46 may be cammed, beveled, or chamfered such that a rotationalmovement imparted to the yoke 46 may engage the cammed portion(s) of theouter flange 46 a with the respective cammed portion(s) of the integrallatch bars 30 b, such that the integral latch bars 30 b are forced openby the rotational engagement of the cammed portions. In someembodiments, actuation of the locking mechanism 30 j may preventdisengagement of the yoke 46 via such a cammed rotation procedure (e.g.,by preventing pivoting of the latch arms 30 a).

Turning now to FIG. 29, a perspective view of a flexible drive shaftadaptor 200 according to some embodiments is shown. The flexible driveshaft adaptor 200 may, for example, be utilized in place of the separatedriven shaft collar 62 and yoke 46 as described herein. The flexibledrive shaft adaptor 200 may, in some embodiments, be formed from asemi-flexible material such as nylon, polyurethane, polypropylene, suchas to accommodate bending or flexing of a driven shaft (not shown)disposed therein. According to some embodiments, the flexible driveshaft adaptor 200 may generally comprise an integrated (e.g., unibody)driven shaft collar 62 and yoke 46. In some embodiments, for example,the flexible drive shaft adaptor 200 may comprise a driven shaft collarelement 262 comprising a generally cylindrical body portion defining anangled front surface 262 d sloping radially inward to a toe at a firstend of the driven shaft adaptor 200, an exterior radial flange 262 edisposed at the heel of the angled front surface 262 d, and an exteriorkey 262 f protruding radially outward. As depicted in FIG. 29, theexterior key 262 f may comprise a plurality of key elements and/orprotrusions such as the two exterior keys 262 f disposed at opposingsides of the driven shaft collar element 262. In some embodiments, theexterior key 262 f may comprise a first end disposed to abut the heel ofthe exterior radial flange 262 e and a second end terminating at aconical portion 246 e of a yoke element 246.

According to some embodiments, the flexible drive shaft adaptor 200 maycomprise the yoke element 246 integral with and disposed adjacent to thedriven shaft collar element 262. In some embodiments, the yoke element262 may comprise the conical portion 246 e extending axially from a wideend adjacent to the driven shaft collar element 262 to a narrow enddistal from the driven shaft collar element 262. In some embodiments, aplurality of axially elongated ribs 246 e-1 may be formed and/ordisposed on the conical portion 246 e of the yoke element 262, such asto allow for a better grip of the flexible drive shaft adaptor 200 whenbeing coupled to a tube cleaning machine (not shown in FIG. 29).According to some embodiments, the yoke element 262 may comprise anelongate tubular body portion 246 d extending from the narrow end of theconical portion 246 e to a second end of the driven shaft adaptor 200.According to some embodiments, the flexible drive shaft adaptor 200 (orthe tubular body portion 246 d thereof) may be hollow and/or otherwisedefine an interior passage 246 f (e.g., through the yoke element 262).The interior passage 246 f may, for example, be utilized in operation ofa tube cleaning machine by housing a flexible shaft (not shown in FIG.29) and/or passing pressurized fluid (not explicitly shown).

Referring now to FIG. 30, a side elevation view in section of a driveshaft coupling 10 according to some embodiments, illustrating interiorlayout of a coupled drive manifold assembly 16 and flexible drive shaftadaptor 200, is shown. In some embodiments, the drive shaft coupling 10may comprise a tube cleaning machine housing sidewall 12 a having and/ordefining a housing opening 12 b (of a tube cleaning machine, the otherportions of which are not depicted in FIG. 30) through which a tubecleaning shaft 14 (e.g., having a shaft drive bar 14 b that engages witha drive head “H”, driven by a motor of the tube cleaning machine; notshown) is disposed. According to some embodiments, a driver manifoldassembly 16 may be coupled to an inner duct 20 defining a common passage20 b (defining an interior wall or sealing surface 20 f) through whichthe tube cleaning shaft 14 is disposed. In some embodiments, the innerduct 20 may be coupled to the driver manifold assembly 16 via inner ductthreads 20 b disposed, for example, on an exterior surface of the innerduct 20. The driver manifold assembly 16 may comprise, for example, afirst concentric collar 22-1 having interior threads 22 a-1 that engagewith the inner duct threads 20 b (e.g., securing the inner duct 20and/or the driver manifold assembly 16 to the housing opening 2 b.

In some embodiments, the driver manifold assembly 16 may comprise asecond concentric collar 22-2. A latch arm assembly 30 may, for example,be disposed (e.g., mounted and/or coupled) between the first concentriccollar 22-1 and the second concentric collar 22-2. In some embodiments,the latch arm assembly 30 may comprise a plurality of latch arms (notshown in FIG. 30), each latch arm having an integral actuating tab 30 c.According to some embodiments, a bolt, screw, pin, and/or assemblysleeve 30 e may be inserted through axially through an annular face ofthe second concentric collar 22-2, through the latch arm assembly 30(and/or through and/or retaining the latch arms and/or integralactuating tabs 30 c), and through and/or coupled to the first concentriccollar 22-1. The assembly sleeve 30 e may, in some embodiments, functionas a pivot point (and/or define a pivot axis) about with the latch armsand/or the integral actuating tabs 30 c rotate.

According to some embodiments, a barbed insert 64 may be disposed at anend of the inner duct 20 and/or within the driver manifold assembly 16.In some embodiments, the barbed insert 64 may comprise an exteriorannular groove 64 e near or at a first end thereof, such as to houseand/or retain a sealing element such as an O-ring 64 f. As depicted inFIG. 30, in the case that the first end of the barbed insert 64 isinserted into the common passage 20 a of the inner duct 20, the O-ring64 f may provide a fluid-tight seal with the inner sealing surface 20 fof the inner duct 20. In such a manner, for example, the tube cleaningshaft 14 and/or cleaning fluid provided therewith (not shown) may bepassed into and/or through the barbed insert 64. In some embodiments,the barbed insert 64 may comprise a second and/or barbed end that isengaged to couple or retain a sheath 66. According to some embodiments,the barbed insert 64 may comprise an external annular and/or radialflange 64 c. The radial flange 64 c may, for example, engage with and/orseat within a flexible drive shaft adaptor 200.

As depicted in FIG. 30, for example, the sheath 66 may be disposedwithin the flexible drive shaft adaptor 200 and the barbed insert 64 maybe coupled between the flexible drive shaft adaptor 200 and the end ofthe inner duct 20 (e.g., with a portion of the barbed insert 64 seatedwithin and forming a fluid-tight seal with the sealing surface 20 f ofthe inner duct 20). In some embodiments, the flexible drive shaftadaptor 200 may comprise a yoke element 246 defining and/or comprising aconical portion 246 e. According to some embodiments, the conicalportion 246 e may abut and/or be integrated with a driven shaft collarelement 262, e.g., that retains and/or couples to the barbed insert 64.The driven shaft collar element 262 may, for example, comprise acylindrical body portion 262 a defining a threaded interior passage 262b. In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 30, the barbed insert 64 maybe disposed in the threaded interior passage 262 b. As depicted, inaccordance with some embodiments, the threads of the threaded interiorpassage 262 b may not engage with the barbed insert 64 and/or the innerduct 20. The threads of the interior passage 262 b may, for example,engage with and/or couple to corresponding threads on inner ducts 20 ofcertain tub cleaning machines, while other machines such as depicted inFIG. 30 may utilize the latch arms to engage with and/or retain theflexible drive shaft adaptor 200.

In some embodiments, the driven shaft collar element 262 (and/or thecylindrical body portion 262 a thereof) may comprise and/or define anangled front surface 262 d that facilitates entry of the flexible driveshaft adaptor 200 into the driver manifold assembly 16. Upon insertionof the angled front surface 262 d into the driver manifold assembly 16,for example, angled front surface 262 d may engage with and urge openthe latch arms, allowing insertion of the flexible drive shaft adaptor200 into the driver manifold assembly 16, e.g., in the case that thelatch arms are biased closed, such as with a spring element (not shown).According to some embodiments, the driven shaft collar element 262(and/or the cylindrical body portion 262 a thereof) may comprise and/ordefine an exterior radial flange 262 e. The exterior radial flange 262 emay, for example, accept and/or be retained by one or more latch arms(not shown in FIG. 30) such as in the case that the flexible drive shaftadaptor 200 is inserted into the driver manifold assembly 16 as shown inFIG. 30.

Turning now to FIG. 31, a perspective view of a drive shaft coupling 10according to some embodiments, illustrating coupling of a drive manifoldassembly 16 and flexible drive shaft adaptor 200, is shown. In someembodiments, drive shaft coupling 10 may comprise a tube cleaningmachine housing sidewall 12 a to which an inner duct 20 and the drivemanifold assembly 16 are coupled. According to some embodiments, thedrive manifold assembly 16 may comprise a first concentric collar 22-1and/or a second concentric collar 22-2. The concentric collars 22-1,22-2 may, for example, house, retain, and/or be coupled to a latch armassembly 30. The latch arm assembly 30 may, in some embodiments (such asdepicted in FIG. 31), comprise two opposing and cooperating latch arms30 a (only one of which is clearly visible in full in FIG. 31) coupledat a pivot point by an assembly sleeve 30 e, each latch arm comprising(i) at a first end disposed on a first side of the pivot point, anintegral actuating tab 30 c and (ii) at a second end disposed on asecond side of the pivot point, an integral latch bar (not visible inFIG. 31).

According to some embodiments, the latch arms 30 a (and/or the integrallatch bars thereof) may be disposed to engage, retain, and/or couple tothe flexible drive shaft adaptor 200. The latch bars may, for example,engage with an exterior or outer radial flange (not shown in FIG. 31) ofthe flexible drive shaft adaptor 200, thereby retaining the flexibledrive shaft adaptor 200 in the drive manifold assembly 16 (i.e., in theretained position depicted in FIG. 31). In some embodiments, asdescribed elsewhere herein, in the case that force is applied to movethe integral actuating tabs 30 c circumferentially toward each other,the latch bars may be caused to disengage with the flexible drive shaftadaptor 200 (e.g., due to a pivoting of the latch bars radially outwardaway from the exterior flange of the flexible drive shaft adaptor 200).

In some embodiments, the flexible drive shaft adaptor 200 may comprise ayoke element 246 defining and/or comprising a conical portion 246 eand/or a tubular body portion 246 d (e.g., defining and/or comprising aninterior passage 246 f). According to some embodiments, the flexibledrive shaft adaptor 200 and/or the yoke element 246 (and/or the conicalportion 246 e thereof) may comprise and/or be coupled to an exterior key262 f. The exterior key 262 f may, for example, comprise an integralprotrusion from the flexible drive shaft adaptor 200 that interrupts theexterior radial flange thereof. In such a manner, for example, theexterior key 262 f may restrict rotation of the flexible drive shaftadaptor 200 by engaging with one or more of the latch bars. In someembodiments, a plurality of exterior keys 262 f may be utilized to limitthe degree of rotation of the flexible drive shaft adaptor 200.

Referring to FIG. 32 for example, an axial view in section of a driveshaft coupling 10 according to some embodiments, illustrating a couplingof a drive manifold assembly 16 and flexible drive shaft adaptor 200, isshown. The drive shaft coupling 10 may comprise, for example, a tubecleaning shaft 14 extending through a common passage 20 a. In someembodiments, the drive manifold assembly may comprise an inner or firstconcentric collar 22-1 coupled to a plurality of latch arms 30 a via anassembly sleeve 30 e. According to some embodiments, the assembly sleeve30 e may comprise and/or define a pivot point about which the latch arms30 a may be pivoted to selectively engage or disengage with the flexibledrive shaft adaptor 200. Each latch arm 30 a may comprise, for examplean integral latch bar 30 b and an integral actuating tab 30 c. In aclosed, latched, or engaged position depicted in FIG. 32, the latch bars30 b engage with, retain, and/or couple to an exterior radial flange 262e of the flexible drive shaft adaptor 200 (e.g., preventing axialdisplacement or movement of the flexible drive shaft adaptor 200 withrespect to the drive manifold assembly 16). In some embodiments, aspring (not explicitly shown) may be disposed at or about the pivotpoint, wherein the spring applies a force urging the actuating tabs 30 ccircumferentially away from each other, thereby urging the latch bars 30b to engage with the flexible drive shaft adaptor 200 (and/or theexterior annular flange 262 e thereof). In some embodiments, forceapplied to urge the actuating tabs 30 c circumferentially toward eachother (e.g., in opposition to a spring force) may cause the latch arms30 b to move radially outward, thereby urging the latch bars 30 b todisengage with the flexible drive shaft adaptor 200 (and/or the exteriorannular flange 262 e thereof).

According to some embodiments, each latch arm 30 a may comprise anarcuate latch arm defining an interior latch arm surface 30 a-1 and eachintegral latch bar 30 b may be defined by a portion of the interiorlatch arm surface 30 a-1 that extends radially inward from the interiorlatch surface 30 a-1. In some embodiments, the latch arms 30 b mayextend radially inward from the interior latch surface 30 a-1 by a latchbar height 30 a-2. According to some embodiments, the latch bars 30 bmay engage with and restrain the flexible drive shaft adaptor 200 fromaxial movement. In some embodiments, the flexible drive shaft adaptor200 may comprise a plurality of exterior keys 262 f that cooperate withthe latch arms 30 b to limit rotation of the flexible drive shaftadaptor 200.

In some embodiments for example, the exterior keys 262 f may comprisetwo radial protrusions disposed on opposite sides of the flexible driveshaft adaptor 200. The keys 262 f may, in some embodiments, allowpartial rotation in a first direction (either “A” or B″ as shown in FIG.32), of the flexible drive shaft adaptor 200 with respect to the latcharms 30 a (when engaged thereby). The partial rotation may end when theexterior keys 262 f engage with the integral latch bars 30 b, therebypreventing further rotation in the first direction (either “A” or B″ asshown in FIG. 32). While two keys 262 f are depicted in FIG. 32, feweror more keys 262 f may be utilized, as desired. In some embodiments, thekeys 262 f may protrude radially from the flexible drive shaft adaptor200 by a key height 262 f-1. According to some embodiments, the keyheight 262 f-1 may be equivalent to the latch bar height 30 a-2 and/orto the height (or depth) of the exterior radial flange 262 e.

III. Conclusion

Various changes may be made to the structure embodying the principles ofthe invention. The foregoing embodiments are set forth in anillustrative and not in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention isdefined by the claims appended hereto.

The present disclosure provides, to one of ordinary skill in the art, anenabling description of several embodiments and/or inventions. Some ofthese embodiments and/or inventions may not be claimed in the presentapplication, but may nevertheless be claimed in one or more continuingapplications that claim the benefit of priority of the presentapplication. Applicant(s) reserves the right to file additionalapplications to pursue patents for subject matter that has beendisclosed and enabled, but not claimed in the present application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flexible drive shaft adapter, comprising: adriven shaft collar element comprising a generally cylindrical bodyportion defining an angled front surface sloping radially inward to atoe at a first end of the flexible drive shaft adaptor, an exteriorradial flange disposed at the heel of the angled front surface, and anexterior key protruding radially outward; a yoke element integral withand disposed adjacent to the driven shaft collar element, the yokeelement comprising a conical portion extending axially from a wide endadjacent to the driven shaft collar element to a narrow end distal fromthe driven shaft collar element, and an elongate tubular body portionextending from the narrow end of the conical portion to a second end ofthe flexible drive shaft adaptor; wherein the flexible drive shaftadaptor defines an interior passage extending axially from the first endof the flexible drive shaft adaptor, through the driven shaft collarelement and the yoke element, to the second end of the flexible driveshaft adaptor.
 2. The flexible drive shaft system of claim 1, whereinthe exterior key comprises two exterior keys disposed at opposing sidesof the driven shaft collar element.
 3. The flexible drive shaft systemof claim 1, wherein the exterior key comprises a first end disposed toabut the heel of the exterior radial flange and a second end terminatingat the conical portion of the yoke element.
 4. The flexible drive shaftsystem of claim 1, wherein the conical portion of the yoke elementcomprises a plurality of axially elongated ribs extending radiallyoutward therefrom.
 5. The flexible drive shaft system of claim 1,further comprising a flexible drive shaft disposed within the interiorpassage.
 6. The flexible drive shaft system of claim 1, furthercomprising a pressurized fluid disposed within the interior passage. 7.The flexible drive shaft system of claim 1, further comprising a tubecleaning drive shaft coupling comprising a housing and a latch armassembly coupled to the housing, the latch arm assembly, comprising: twoopposing and cooperating latch arms coupled at a pivot point, each latcharm comprising (i) at a first end disposed on a first side of the pivotpoint, an integral actuating tab and (ii) at a second end disposed on asecond side of the pivot point, an integral latch bar disposed to engagethe exterior radial flange of the driven shaft collar element, therebycoupling the driven shaft collar element to the housing, wherein forceapplied to move the actuating tabs circumferentially toward each othercauses the latch bars to disengage with the exterior radial flange ofthe driven shaft collar element.
 8. The flexible drive shaft system ofclaim 7, wherein each latch arm defines an interior latch arm surfaceand each interior latch arm surface comprises a respective integrallatch bar defined by a portion of the interior latch arm surface thatextends radially inward from the interior latch surface.
 9. The flexibledrive shaft system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the integrallatch bars engages with and restrains the flexible drive shaft adaptorfrom axial movement.
 10. The flexible drive shaft system of claim 8,wherein at least one of the latch arms engages with the exterior key tolimit rotation of the flexible drive shaft adaptor.
 11. A drive shaftsystem, comprising: a single-piece, integral flexible drive shaftadaptor, comprising: a driven shaft collar element comprising agenerally cylindrical body portion defining an angled front surfacesloping radially inward to a toe at a first end of the flexible driveshaft adaptor, an exterior radial flange disposed at the heel of theangled front surface, and an exterior key protruding radially outward; ayoke element formed adjacent to the driven shaft collar element, theyoke element comprising a conical portion extending axially from a wideend adjacent to the driven shaft collar element to a narrow end distalfrom the driven shaft collar element, and an elongate tubular bodyportion extending from the narrow end of the conical portion to a secondend of the flexible drive shaft adaptor; wherein the flexible driveshaft adaptor defines an interior passage extending axially from thefirst end of the flexible drive shaft adaptor, through the driven shaftcollar element and the yoke element, to the second end of the flexibledrive shaft adaptor; a tube cleaning drive shaft coupling comprising ahousing and a latch arm assembly coupled to the housing, the latch armassembly, comprising: two opposing and cooperating latch arms coupled ata pivot point, each latch arm comprising (i) at a first end disposed ona first side of the pivot point, an integral actuating tab and (ii) at asecond end disposed on a second side of the pivot point, an integrallatch bar disposed to engage the exterior radial flange of the drivenshaft collar element, thereby coupling the driven shaft collar elementto the housing, wherein force applied to move the actuating tabscircumferentially toward each other causes the latch bars to disengagewith the exterior radial flange of the driven shaft collar element;wherein each latch arm defines an interior latch arm surface and eachinterior latch arm surface comprises a respective integral latch bardefined by a portion of the interior latch arm surface that extendsradially inward from the interior latch surface, and wherein at leastone of the latch arms engages with the exterior key to limit rotation ofthe flexible drive shaft adaptor.